Weather Journal: Warm Day Followed by Cold Night

After an unseasonably warm weekend that saw temperatures about five or 10 degrees above average, the week will start much the same. By night, however, temperatures will return to near normal as a cold front comes through the region.

Before the front passes through, the broader region will enjoy another day with high ranging from 52 degrees in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to 60 degrees in Trenton, N.J. Dense fog is likely during the morning commute, as are some showers. At night, rain and sleet are possible in New York as temperatures dip close to freezing. There’s even a slight chance of the first snowflakes of 2013 falling in the five boroughs.

Temperature Records Fall: The warm weather in Great New York this weekend was barely a blip compared to other parts of the country. Atlanta had a wild weekend, seeing the Falcons eek into the NFC Championship on Sunday after the temperature hitting 75 degrees on Saturday, breaking a 123-year-old record. Further north, Columbia, S.C., topped out at 82 degrees on Saturday, shattered the old record high of 77 degrees set in 1916.

Both cities will likely see a return to normal temperatures as the same cold front that will affect New York on Monday night will also impact the southeast.

Monday’s Greater New York forecast roundup:

WSJ Headquarters in Manhattan:

Actual High: 58; RealFeel High: 55

Actual Low: 35; RealFeel Low: 33

Weather: A morning shower and widespread fog; otherwise, mild with clouds yielding to some sun

Brooklyn: 57/35

Queens: 57/36

Bronx: 56/35

Staten Island: 56/36

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: 50/26

Trenton, N.J.: 60/35

Islip, Long Island: 54/35

New Haven, Conn.: 53/28

Brian Kahn works at Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society.